CC MEETING: February 7, 2023
DATE: January 31, 2023
TO: Erin Rinehart, City Manager
FROM: Jonathan Scheu, Library Director
Chrystal Davis, Assistant City Manager
Title
Consider Approval To Purchase Digital Materials From Sole Source Vendor Bibliotheca In An Amount Not To Exceed $115,500.
Body
BACKGROUND:
Bibliotheca, Inc. is the sole source provider of eBooks and eAudiobooks that may be made available through the Bibliotheca CloudLibrary lending platform. In FY2022, Carrollton Public Library cardholders checked out 107,751 digital items via CloudLibrary, accounting for nearly 29% of total library circulation.
The cost to provide this service has increased in recent years. FY2022 saw an average price increase of 10% over FY2021 and 14% over FY2020. In order to continue making this popular service available to customers, the Library will need to increase digital material spending in FY2023 by 10%, in an amount not to exceed $115,500.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
This purchase will come from budgeted funds for the cost center and amount as listed below.
COST CENTER LINE ITEM BUDGET AMOUNT
321001 61305 $ 115,500.00
IMPACT ON COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY:
Digital materials continue to be a growing line of business for the Library. Continued availability of e-content and the ability to provide up-to-date materials contributes to the quality of our community and provides expected services that enhance the quality of life for our customers. Improving access to digital content also furthers Council’s goal of improving accessibility to the services we provide.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION/ACTION DESIRED:
Staff recommends approval to purchase digital materials from sole source provider Bibliotheca in an amount not to exceed $115,500 during Fiscal Year 2023.